Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Bernis B. Brown Collection

Summary
Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1047
Creators:
Brown, Bernis B., 1888-1960
Dates:
1852-1972
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
8.5 Cubic feet
17 boxes, 1 map folder
Repository:
Scope and Contents note
Scope and Contents note
The collection documents the history of farm machinery in America, especially steam-powered machines, with an emphasis on tractors. The collections includes Brown's correspondence with individuals and institutions regarding his research and his collection, writings, research notes, newspaper and magizine clippings, photographs, periodicals, and trade literature. Many of Brown's writings appeared in the
Iron-Men Album
. Also included is a history Brown compiled on early American farm power titled,
Pictorial History of Early American Farm Power
, 1953.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into seven series.
Personal Materials, 1945-1952
Correspondence, 1912-1960 Photographs, 1896-1958 Writings, 1915-1958 Research Notes, 1857-1958 Newspaper and Magazine Clippings, 1898-1972 Periodicals, 1946-1960 Trade Literature, 1852-1960
Biographical/Historical note
Biographical/Historical note
Bernis Bertram Brown (1888-1960) was born in Gillians, Missouri. Brown worked for the Austin-Western Road Machinery Company and was a dealer, salesmen, and repairman of farm equipment, especially steam powered engines. Brown was a regular contributor to the
Iron-Men Album Magazine
with articles about valves, reverse gears and various steam and gas engines.
Administration
Author
Alison Oswald
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Collected for the National Museum of American History, Division of Civil and Mechanical Engineering.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Alison Oswald, archivist, 2022.
Ownership and Custodial History
Collected for the National Museum of American History, Division of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (now called the Division of Work and Industry). Transferred to the Archives Center in 2007.
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
Bernis B. Brown Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Related Materials
Materials in the Archives Center
Carterpillar Tractor Company Photograph Collection, NMAH.AC.0146
John K. Parlett Collection of Agricultural Ephemera, NMAH.AC.1225
Keywords
Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Agricultural machinery Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Books Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Catalogs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Farm equipment Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Magazines (periodicals) -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Newsletters -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Notebooks Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Patents Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Steam-engines Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Tractors Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu